Basic Meaning and Usage
"衣服" (yīfu) is a common noun meaning "clothes" or "clothing". It refers to garments worn on the body and is used in everyday conversation to talk about clothing in general.
Common Collocations and Contexts
- 一件衣服 (yī jiàn yīfu): a piece of clothing, often used when counting or describing individual items.
- 穿衣服 (chuān yīfu): to wear clothes, a very common verb phrase.
- 买衣服 (mǎi yīfu): to buy clothes, frequently used in shopping contexts.
When using "衣服," speakers often imply practical or everyday clothing rather than formal or specialized attire. It is a neutral term suitable for all registers.
Avoiding Confusion
"衣服" is distinct from "服装" (fúzhuāng), which can imply costumes or formal dress. Use "衣服" for general clothing to sound natural and clear.